S3 Series

This is essentially correct.

Close Escort has a very difficult job if the bombers are flying at high speed. During the last big ETO S3 the close escort was easily stripped because the bombers were flying too fast for a timely and effective rejoin.

If fuel is an issue for the fighters it becomes even more difficult.

We need a tight bomber formation with NO stragglers flying at a speed 50-75 mph less than the fighter cruising speed for close escort to array properly and be able to regain position after chasing off enemy fighters. And, of course, the fighters have to be disciplined to not chase below the hard deck or more than a few miles to the rear of the bombers and then resume station. A MINIMUM of 16 fighters for close escort on a single formation of bombers.

Thanks for all of your input gentlemen, I appreciate it. I have finished data mining and will come out with a plan mid week so you all have some time to practice before the frame. If there is a preferred ride you wish for frame II, please don't hesitate to request here and I'll factor that in to the mission profile.

<S>

Salute!

Good coord so far.

The buffs are trying to choose our ride due to the stoopid rule that requires us to fly "x" frames in each plane. GASP!!!

So that will determine our altitude and speed.

I think we have been too fast in last few series for survival purposes. I.E. make it hard for re-attacks.

Gums opines...

AE's/100th. Would like to take Spit Vc's. This frame .but we will take the best AC..available for the task at hand...we flew P-40F's in frame One..

Just a side note SQTC...last couple of series..AE's/100th been involved with we had a C.O's briefing on TS. Thursday nigbts..To me this has been a great resource. In the fact we can actually hear first hand..exactly what the frame C.O. is actually thinking N why..it has been to me. A great asset to know exactly what each group is doing..With fients ..drags ..support.from the others..N understand where they are coming from ....Over all to me it's been. A great asset to utilize

Hit them where they are not...then move to another area and do it again...keep them guessing...

Brother, you read my mind How do u counter the big wing? Simple....run them all over and don't engage until they split up I'll try to pop on TS on Thurs

"Yes, we are preparing to invade, but if they sink all of our supply ships we may not have anything to invade with."

Frames are scripted...Frame 3 will happen regardless of what happend Frame 2.

There is no reward for frame objectives, no penalty for not following frame intent.

Pearl Harbor Frame 3 was perfect example of that....

So with that out of the way, lets figure out how we keep our forces cohesive to counter the BIG WING they are going to fly.

Dobs

If we plan to play hide and seek the 475FG would like the P40F.

If we plan to fly together in our own aggressive big wing sweeping / escorting the strike then P38F for the 475FG.

That doesn't work in an environment where the enemy can set up multiple waves, which is what we did in Berlin by Daylight. It was so effective Buff Tuff went up, which is an effective counter to nearly all enemy tactics.

We can fly P-38s and help with fighter duty for numbers or we can take Mossies and go deep for ship points. However you want to use us is fine.

Salute!

I am not sure what you are getting at, Dawg.

You lites will not know our altitudes and speeds until we choose from the remaining three buffs. I am looking for a lite outfit with more than 3 planes.

We flew one frame of the Mitchell variants and done decent, thanks to AE that cleared the tgt. So now we gotta fly a frame in a Well, one in the Lib and another one in a Mitchell variant. Or maybe one each. Sheesh. Hard enuf for us to keep up with all the new flight models and such, and then all the pain to save settings and download the latest stuff.

I am gonna throw the foul flag at the Donkey. This is stoopid, stoopid, stupid.

Just provide two or maybe three planes and let the squads choose. Kinda like real world back then. Or just dictate the ride from Donkey. Shuttup and obey. Changing the planes makes it hard for many new folks, much less we old vets.

Gums whines....

@Dawg: Soon as Nomads and UMM figure out what we are gonna do, we will post here.